Fight for Jobs: Top 10 battles to replace a departed player
The race for No. 1 doesn't begin for a few months, but the race is on to replace some of the best players in the nation.
Quarterbacks like Matt Mauck, Craig Krenzel and John Navarre probably won't end up being NFL superstars, but all had excellent college careers and have left their respective coaches with some tough decisions to make.
Some key positions around the country have already been decided. At Ole Miss, junior Michael Spurlock will replace Eli Manning and at Iowa, former defensive lineman Lee Gray will move to left tackle to replace Robert Gallery.
But some aren't that simple.
Even after spring practice, some of the biggest battles in the country are still up for grabs.
Below is a list of the top 10 battles to keep an eye on when practices in August begin.
| No. 1: Battle to Replace QB Matt Mauck at LSU | ||
| Marcus Randall vs. JaMarcus Russell vs. Matt Flynn | ||
 Marcus Randall |
Deciding who will be the starting quarterback for the defending BCS national champions is the most-important decision Nick Saban has to make. Marcus Randall backed up Matt Mauck last season, playing in eight games, and is the early favorite. He was 25-of-40 passing in 2003, but struggled in the spring game, completing only nine of 23 for 131 yards. Meanwhile, highly recruited freshman JaMarcus Russell, was nine of 21 for 128 yards. Freshman Matt Flynn, who is also fighting for the starting job was 12 of 28 for 112 yards. It's Randall's job to lose, but LSU will have a big decision to make before its season opener against Oregon State. |
 JaMarcus Russell  Matt Flynn |
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| No. 2: Battle to Replace QB Craig Krenzel at Ohio State | ||
| Troy Smith vs. Justin Zwick | ||
 Troy Smith |
In two seasons, Craig Krenzel was 24-3 as a starter and won a national title. So sophomores Justin Zwick and Troy Smith have a tough task in replacing Krenzel. Zwick was 16-of-26 for 165 yards in the spring game, while Smith was 7-of-15 for 53 yards. Coach Jim Tressel said it's tight, but Zwick would probably be the starter if the season started tomorrow. |
 Justin Zwick |
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| No. 3: Battle to Replace QB John Navarre at Michigan | ||
| Matt Gutierrez vs. Clayton Richard | ||
 Matt Gutierrez |
Sophomore Matt Gutierrez and redshirt Clayton Richard are locked in a tight battle to replace three-year starter John Navarre. Both had similar statistics in their scrimmage as Gutierrez went 12-of-22 for 84 yards and Richard went 14-of-22 for 110 yards. Gutierrez saw action in 11 games last season, so he gets the slight edge for now. |
 Clayton Richard |
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| No. 4: Battle to Replace TE Kellen Winslow at Miami (Fla.) | ||
| Kevin Everett vs. Buck Ortega | ||
 Kevin Everett |
Who will follow Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow as the next great tight end at Miami? Buck Ortega, Kevin Everett or transfer Greg Olsen? Ortega, who switched from receiver to linebacker and now to tight end, had six catches for a team-high 89 yards in their spring scrimmage. Everett, who had nine catches and three touchdowns last season, had 54 yards receiving in the spring game and will likely end up being the starter. Olsen, who transferred from Notre Dame, is the wild card, but probably won't see significant playing time until midway through the season. |
 Buck Ortega |
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| No. 5: Battle to Replace WR Mike Williams at Southern Cal | ||
| Whitney Lewis vs. Steve Smith | ||
 Whitney Lewis |
With the loss of Mike Williams, Southern California needs to find a No. 1 receiver for Matt Leinart. Sophomore Steve Smith has the experience, catching 17 balls for 319 yards last season, while Whitney Lewis had only three receptions in 2003. Both performed well in the spring game, but Smith (nine catches, 130 yards) showed his experience and is the odds on favorite. |
 Steve Smith |
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| No. 6: Battle to Replace RB Greg Jones at Florida State | ||
| Lorenzo Booker vs. Leon Washington | ||
 Lorenzo Booker |
Leon Washington has been behind Greg Jones for two years on the depth chart, so he should move into the starting position, but the play of Lorenzo Booker during spring practice has opened some eyes. The sophomore led all rushers with 53 yards on six carries and also had two catches for 22 yards in the spring game. |
 Leon Washington |
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| No. 7: Battle to Replace QB Casey Clausen at Tennessee | ||
| C.J. Leak vs. Rick Clausen | ||
 C.J. Leak |
The Volunteers have a mess on their hand in the battle to replace Casey Clausen. Neither quarterback stood out during spring practice and coach Philip Fulmer is concerned with their consistency. C.J. Leak and LSU-transfer Rick Clausen, Casey's younger brother, are neck and neck as the No. 1 starter. In the spring game, Leak completed 12-of-17 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, while Clausen was 8-of-21 for 156 yards. |
 Rick Clausen |
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| No. 8: Battle to Replace QB Philip Rivers at N.C. State | ||
| Jay Davis vs. Marcus Stone | ||
 Jay Davis |
Jay Davis is the favorite to take over the reins from a departed Philip Rivers, especially after looking good in the spring game (11-of-20 passing for 141 yards). Redshirt freshman Marcus Stone missed spring practices with a fractured finger, but threw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns during his high school career. This battle could heat up come fall. |
 Marcus Stone |
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| No. 9: Battle to Replace PK Billy Bennett at Georgia | ||
| Brandon Coutu vs. Andy Bailey | ||
 Brandon Coutu |
Believe it or not, the kicker battle at Georgia is one of the most important battles in the nation. Georgia will be a preseason top 5 and any number of its games could come down to a single kick. Redshirt freshman Andy Bailey was All-State in high school, while Brandon Coutu was 9-for-9 on field goals during his senior year of high school. |
 Andy Bailey |
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| No. 10: Battle to Replace RB Kevin Jones at Virginia Tech | ||
| Cedric Humes vs. Mike Imoh | ||
 Cedric Humes |
Cedric Humes, expected to be the Hokies' top tailback, missed most of spring practice with a broken leg. He is already off his crutches and will be ready for August practice. Junior Mike Imoh, who was Humes' top competitor for the starting job, has been suspended for the first three games of the season. |
 Mike Imoh |
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